thathorse-obsessedgirl:

I apologize for such graphic pictures, but I’m not sugarcoating this.

Today while I was working at the barn, I saw this dog on the way back from a ride. He stood up and walked very cautiously over to the horses, but he didn’t come very close. He didn’t bark or growl, he just stood there. I couldn’t leave him there, I had to go back and get him with my car.

I got out of my car and walked slowly up to him. He put his head down and came towards me without my calling or anything. He sat down next to me (I didn’t pet him because he clearly has bad mange) and wagged his tail. He looked at me with his pretty blue-green eyes full of hope and I think he knew he would be ok.

I called every nearby animal control number and the Houston Humane Society right down the road. I had to go through so many menu options before I finally left a message… None of them have called me back, about eight hours later. 

I took matters into my own hands. I didn’t want to put him in my car because I transport my own dog, but I couldn’t just leave him. I figured there would be some way to sanitize my car so I gave in and called someone at the barn to help me get him in my car. He’s a small dog, but he has scabs all over his body and I wanted someone with gloves.

Anyways, I drove about five minutes to Houston Humane and the first thing the admissions lady told me is that they’ll hold him for three days and if no one claims him, they’ll put him down. Nope, that’s not gonna happen. I asked her where else I could take him and she gave me the number and address of BARC. I thanked her and got some gloves from her and loaded him back up in my car for the 45-minute drive to BARC.

They shuffled me around everywhere at BARC. I went through the door that said, “Entrance” and the guy made me go back through the “Exit” door. I know this doesn’t seem like much, but this puppy could hardly walk. He stumbled as if he were drunk and would occasionally just plop down. They determined he was too sick for him to be in the main building with all the other dogs, so I had to load him back up in my car and drive him to the rear entrance.

Some kind volunteers directed me to the vet building, and I waited in there for a vet tech for about 15 minutes. I sat next to him and talked to him. I told him over and over that he would be ok and I wouldn’t let anything happen to him. I told him he’s going to make an amazing pet someday and he’s in a safe place. I promised him.

The exhausted-looking vet tech came out, took my driver’s license (which they had already done at the front..) and entered me into “the system.” Then she came back over to me and the dog, whom I had named JoJo, and informed me of his fate. She said two very conflicting things and I’m still confused. First, she said that they’ll wait three days for someone to claim him, then have him evaluated by a vet and put him up for adoption if he’s not aggressive (which he clearly wasn’t). Good news, right? Then she said they’ll wait three days for someone to claim him and then euthanize him. I kept trying to clear this up with her and determine which one she meant because she wasn’t making sense, but I never got a clear answer. I’m pretty sure the answer is more towards the second option than the first.

Then I got mad. I asked her why the hell I took him there if they’re just going to kill him, just like they would’ve at Houston Humane. She shrugged and I said, “Ok well thanks,” and left with tears welling up.

I pretended to text on the way back to my car so the volunteers wouldn’t ask what was wrong. I got to my car and broke down crying for poor little JoJo. All I could think about was how amazing he’d be as someone’s dog and how I had promised him over and over that he’d be ok. I called Christy (the barn manager, we kept in contact the whole time so she knew what was going on) and told her the news and she got mad, too. She kept saying, “Why the hell do they call themselves a no-kill when they clearly do if the dog is the slightest bit sick? They’re not going to do ANYTHING for him?” My thoughts exactly.

I drove home crying and took a nice, hot shower. Christy had called me again while I was in the shower so I called her back and she had some good news for me. She knows a woman who brought a stray like JoJo into BARC, donated some money for his initial treatments, and then fostered him (and later ended up adopting him). Christy is actually offering to donate $250 to help him and she knows another woman who loves pitbulls and is already offering to foster him.

I’m not begging everyone to reblog this, though that would be appreciated. I’m not gonna hate you if you don’t. I won’t be mad if no one offers a little cash for his initial treatment. But it would make me and JoJo feel a lot better if you did.

We have until Thursday to figure all of this out. This dog needs a miracle, but Christy and I won’t stop until he gets his miracle.

P.S. To whoever did this to this dog - I sincerely hope you suffer equally as much as he did/does/will. I hope you find out how it feels to have someone give up on you, and that no one gives you a second chance. I know you’re out there because he has a collar and he’s neutered. It makes me sick to know that you exist.

(via work-for-it)

health-over-vanity:

124 Calorie Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

These bitches are easy as hell to bake, plus they’re ah-mazing!

What you need:
1/2 cup melted butter (1stick)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup splenda or any other 0 cal sweetener  
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip
1/2 cup rolled oats (uncooked oatmeal) 

So here’s what you do:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Melt butter in large microwave safe bowl
-Add brown sugar and splenda. Let cool for a little bit
-Add egg, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Stir.
-Add flour and stir. Then add chocolate chips and oats.
-Stir em’ up and spread dough evenly on greased 8x8 inch pan 
Bake for 15-30 mins and cut into 16 squares when they’re cooled.  

Add in another 1/4 cup oats for a more cookie like texture! 

(via wakeuphealthy)

jenxya:

Stuffed Artichokes - *about* 300 calories (this one really varies depending on the brands) per one artichoke

Tonight I felt ambitious, so here are Stuffed Artichokes! It is fairly time consuming, but well worth it! Original recipe HERE: http://gimmesomeoven.com/stuffed-artichokes/
I altered the ingredients for the stuffing, so i’ve included that - but for directions please visit the original site! they explain it beautifully.

has a good amount of protein (18g) and fairly low fat (8g) :)

Ingredients:
1 Artichoke
approx. 1/2 cup riced cauliflower
approx. 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1-2 spinach leaves
1 clove garlic, finely diced
1 mushroom, diced
2 tablespoons onion, diced
1/4 cup shredded four-cheese mix
1 teaspoon thyme
salt & pepper to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil (to cook in)

(see site for directions)

(via beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood)

hahahahha

(via pearlspopcultureandperfume)

hipbonesandrunningshoes:

motivate-dont-hesitate:

jar-of-glitter:

Jillian Michael’s Self.com workout :)

omg the one with the balance ball looks killer

Thats a fitness ball jack knife :D they’re hard! Good for abs :D

(via healthy-to-the-bone)

eviltwintraining:

FULL BODY CIRCUIT WITH WEIGHTS

Circuit workouts are great for strength training, but they also keep your heart rate up, helping burn up calories while building muscle. This full-body circuit combines exercises to work your arms while toning your legs, plus your abs and back will all be challenged. And you can do this workout in the comfort of your living room!

Not only is an at-home workout excuse-proof, it is also recession-proof since it is free and will only cost you calories! It takes about 20 minutes to do, and for the workout all you need is a set of dumbbells between five and eight pounds. If you don’t have weights, you can still give it a go.

Instructions: After warming up with light cardio for five minutes, repeat each three-exercise circuit twice, resting for 60 seconds after completing one rep of an entire circuit.

Circuit One: Narrow Squat With Overhead Press

• Begin standing with your legs together, arms raised to shoulder height with elbows bent, holding weights by your ears.
• Squat toward the floor by bending your knees and reaching your bum back, as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your legs squeezing together. Focus your weight into your heels. While squatting, raise your arms overhead into a parallel position.
• Return to starting position by pressing through your heels while bending your elbows to lower the weights back to shoulder level.

Do 15 reps

Circuit One: Plank With Reverse Row

• Open your legs wider than hip distance apart; you will need this wide base of support.
• Keep your abdominals lifting away from the ground. Pull your navel to your spine to activate your core!
• Reach through your heels to activate your glutes. They should be engaged but not squeezed together.
• Exhale and stabilize your torso as you lift your right elbow up. Place your right weight back on the ground, and lift your left elbow. This completes one set.

Do 10 sets

Circuit One: Side Lunge

• Stand with your feet and knees together, hands on your hips.
• Take a large step with your right foot to the right side and lunge toward the floor. Allow your upper body to bend forward, creasing at the hips, not rounding your spine.
• Make sure your right knee does not extend past your toes and keep your left leg relatively straight.
• Push off through your right foot to return to the starting position. Repeat by stepping out to the left. This completes one set.

Do 12 sets

Circuit Two: Plié Squat With Side Arm Raises

• Stand with legs wide and toes pointed outward slightly. Hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands with your arms straight and your palms facing down.
• Bend your knees until your knees are over your ankles while raising arms to just below shoulder height. Arms should be in line with your legs — you should see the weights in your peripheral vision.
• Straighten your legs and lower your arms simultaneously.

Do 15 reps

Circuit Two: Side Plank Push-Up

• Start sitting on your left side with legs almost straight and right leg crossed in front of the left leg. Inhale to prepare.
• Exhale, pull your abs to your spine and lift your pelvis off the floor, coming into a side plank. Really lift your bottom hip up. Pull your shoulder blade down your back so your shoulder stays away from your ear (this will work your lat too).
• Hold for five seconds. Lower your pelvis back to floor slowly and with control. Repeat a total of 10 times on each side. Do two sets.

Do 10 on each side

Circuit Two: Backward Lunge With Bicep Curls

• To begin, your feet should be shoulder width apart, torso erect, with arms hanging straight at your sides, palms facing in.
• Take a slow, controlled lunge (or large step) backward with your left foot.
• Lower your hips so that your right thigh (front leg) becomes parallel to the floor. At this point your right knee should be positioned directly over your ankle and your right foot should be pointing straight ahead.
• Your left knee should be bent at a 90-degree angle and pointing toward the floor. Your left heel should be lifted.
• After reaching the bottom of the movement (when your left knee is almost touching the floor), do a bicep curl.
• As you lower your arms, press with your back foot to return to starting position. Switch legs and repeat on the other side. This completes one set.

Do 10 sets

Circuit Three: Seated Russian Twist

• Sit on the ground with your knees bent and your heels about two feet from your bum.
• Lean slightly back without rounding your spine at all. It is really important, and difficult, to keep your back straight, but don’t let it round.
• Place your arms straight out in front of you with your hands one on top of the other. Your hands should be level with the bottom of your ribcage.
• Pull your navel to your spine and twist slowly to the left. The movement is not large and comes from the ribs rotating, not from your arms swinging. Inhale through center and rotate to the right. This completes one set.

Do 16 sets

Circuit Three: Scissor Abs

• Lie flat on your back. You can extend your arms so they’re against the sides of your body with your palms pressing into the floor, or you can place your hands under your pelvis.
• Now bend your knees and draw them into your ribs. This will make it easier to pull your navel in toward your spine and actively press your lower back flat on the ground.
• Now lift both legs straight up toward the ceiling, continuing to engage your abs and press your lower back into the ground.
• Keeping your abs engaged, slowly lower your right leg down toward the ground, until it is a few inches above. Then scissor your legs, so you lift your right leg back up as you lower your left leg down toward the ground. This completes one set. Don’t let your back come away from the floor.

Do 15 to 20 sets

Circuit Three: Superman

• Lie face down on your stomach with arms and legs extended. Keep your neck in a neutral position.
• Keeping your arms and legs straight (but not locked) and torso stationary, simultaneously lift your arms and legs up toward the ceiling to form an elongated “u” shape with your body — back arched and arms and legs several inches off the floor.
• Hold 30 seconds.

Repeat three times

(via tosee-her-abs)